Boehner also retweeted a message from Cincinnati-based Jesuit school Xavier University: “RT @xavieruniv: Prayers and blessings for Pope Francis I, the first Jesuit Pope! #amdg”

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) also referenced Jesuit education in congratulating the new pontiff.

“As a proud jesuit-trained grad of Bklyn Prep I look froward to the papacy of Pope Francis I - i am sure all Americans pray for his success,” he tweeted.

That’s what Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) pledged to do.

“Excited to welcome Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as #Pope Francis. Wendy and I will be praying for him. #HabemusPapam,” he tweeted.

Former GOP presidential candidate and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) championed the papal pick and also cheered the display of “faith in the public square.”

“We stand with open hearts to embrace our new spiritual father, the successor of St. Peter, and pray for the Church and its faithful around the world,” Santorum said in a statement. “And as I watched today’s events unfold and the white smoke rise from the chimney of the Vatican, I couldn’t help but be struck by such an awesome celebration of faith in the public square.”

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who extended his “deepest congratulations” to the new Catholic leader, also added, “It is my hope that Pope Francis I guides the Catholic Church in a direction underscored by greater inclusion and equality in the world.”

Other politicians brought a partisan bent to their papal commentary: “What a coincidence, as smoke rose above the Vatican Prez Obama was on Capitol Hill blowing smoke in our face,” tweeted Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.). Earlier in the day, President Barack Obama met with members of the House GOP.